First week of school and September

Labor Day weekend is always busy for us...Sally was born ON Labor Day, 2013, and David and I got married the day before Labor Day, 2010. Thinking back through the past several years, we've celebrated this weekend really well, and this year was no different.

First, Sally had a last "Mommy day" and last "Daddy day" of summer. On the last Mommy day I had found an indoor pool that we could reserve a spot at without being a member. Thankfully, the high chlorine levels assure minimal infectious disease transmission...but we had a lot of fun in spite of our burning throats. Then, we checked out the playground at Phoenix Park (the largest urban park in Europe, I believe).

On Tuesday, David took Sally for a Princess Pedicure, a Disney store shopping experience (early bday as well), and Daddy-daughter yummy lunch back at home. Also had an afternoon playdate and an evening dinner guest (JC was here for work). I'd say that was a good last day of summer!!

Tuesday afternoon ended up yielding some drama as we learned that Sally was actually enrolled in the OTHER second-grade class. The school had nicely put me in touch with the class representative when we arrived in July so that Sally could make some friends before school. This was awesome and she made a couple of fun friends. We had a plan to meet up at the town green before school on the first day to help make her feel more comfortable starting anew. Then, the night before the first day of school, we get an email telling us Sally is actually in the OTHER class, in which she knows no know. Long phone calls to the school were to no avail, but everyone here is so nice, so within an hour of this new information coming to light, we had a playdate with a new classmate. Sally got along well with her (they live just around the corner) and they even walked us over to the school campus and showed us where we would have the kids line up the first morning. It was so helpful. Sally was very brave about it all, really. The next morning, first day of school, we met up with her friends on the town green and walked over together. When she came out at the end of the day we knew it was all going to be okay. She adores her teacher, Micheal (no "Mr." here) and so far is having a blast.

Before school:

After school (look at that smile!):

The second day of school was Sally's birthday. Initially we weren't going to do a party or anything since she barely new anyone, but after talking with some parents decided to do an informal, after school snacks and cupcakes at the local playground. I had already invited the old class, so some of them came, plus the new class, and we had 20 RSVPs and then in the end there were like 30-some kids including siblings and random kids off the playground. I had made cupcakes but Dave actually had to run over to the grocery store and get more b/c there were so many extra kids. It was total chaos but super fun. Because of COVID and most parents working from home, we were actually able to meet many parents and it turned out to be a nice start to the school year and a way to get to know everyone a little bit.

Of course we followed up with a beautiful unicorn cake at home that evening. It was delicious and enormous so we delivered slices to the neighbors afterwards. Within days three sets of neighbors had brought gifts and cards for Miss Sally...cementing that we picked a good new neighborhood! (still miss our old neighborhood, but this is a great Irish substitution!)

Last weekend, to celebrate Sally's birthday and David's and my 11th wedding anniversary, we went to Kinnitty Castle in County Offaly, about 90 minutes west (by car) of Dublin. This castle was recommended to me by an Irish friend (equine vet) who had recently stayed there, and it was perfect! We made it a surprise for Sally and seeing her face as we drove up was 100% worth it!

(We were going to take a train there but then ended up renting a car b/c it took 1/4 the time and cost 1/4 the money to do so. Public transport around the city is great; into the country it is big bucks and slow!)

The castle had a fairy trail and loads of hiking trails (Nora running on trails = happy Nora) through the Slieve Bloom mountains, horses running free in the front of the property, a Dungeon bar, high tea, room service, and an equestrian program. It was so perfect. At first they said they did not allow children under the age of 12 on horses, but when I called and spoke with Lowell, who ran the trail rides, he was incredibly kind (as I'm finding most Irish folk to be) and he brought a pony over specially and took Sally and me on a private trail ride through the Slieve Bloom mountains. We spent loads of time enjoying the beautiful grass of the front lawn, admiring the hills, the castle, and the horses, while Sally chased bubbles or practiced cartwheels. Truly spectacular.

(sorry, too many photos to choose from...it was such a gorgeous spot!!)

On Sunday on the way home we stopped at Birr Castle and saw its beautiful grounds, along with the Great Telescope, built by the 3rd Earl of Rosse back in 1845. It was the biggest in the world for over 70 years. Using this telescope the Earl discovered the Whirlpool Nebulae, which was the very first hint at the existence of other galaxies.

Finally, we wrapped up the weekend with an anniversary/bday dinner at our local, the Merrion Inn, where they gave us the best table, free drinks, and sang happy birthday with sparklers for Sally.

We feel very welcome and loved here already, and it's kind of magical.